West Bengal: Vast areas of Jalpaiguri submerged

Jalpaiguri (WB): One person was swept away and vast areas of Jalpaiguri district in north Bengal were submerged following heavy rains and floods in rivers in sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal.

Official sources said rivers in the area, which originate in the sub-Himalayan region, are in spate due to incessant heavy rains and the rushing flood waters breached embankments in many places.

The water level in Teesta river has touched the extreme danger mark, and along with Reti and Dudhua, flooded large tracts of Jalpaiguri district, including Khayerkata village and Dhupguri, a tea area.

The sources said 48-year-old Sofiar Rehman was swept away by flood waters at Magurmari in the district.
District Magistrate Smaraki Mohapatra said two units of National Disaster Relief Force have been deployed to work in the flood affected area of the district.

Relief materials have been distributed to the people of flood affected areas, Mohapatra said.

Two trained elephants have been deployed to rescue over 350 marooned residents of Khayerkata village after the lone bridge linking it to Dhupguri town collapsed, DFO Jalpaiguri Bidyut Sarkar said.

In adjoining Darjeeling district, landslides have blocked Pankhabari Road, the main thoroughfare to the hill station. Work is on to clear the debris and open a temporary road to allow light vehicles to pass, official sources said.
PTI